(LANSING) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued updated recommendations for the 2021-22 school year.

The recommendations are designed to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 within school buildings, reduce disruptions to in person learning and help protect vulnerable individuals, and those who are not fully vaccinated. Because many students have yet to be vaccinated and students under age 12 are not yet eligible, the MDHHS says layered prevention measures, including universal masking, must be put in place for consistent in person learning to keep kids, staff and families safe.

The guidance has been updated to reflect the most current recommendations from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention on masking and prevention strategies to help operate schools more safely.

The MDHHS recommends that all schools adopt polices to promote vaccination for eligible students, staff and families; require universal masking for students, staff and visitors regardless of community transmission rate or vaccination status; and implement layered prevention measures.